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The noblest and most fruitful work of the human intelligence is to make a clean sweep of every enforced idea — of advantages or meanings — and to go right through appearances in search of the eternal bases.

— Henri Barbusse Light (1919)

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More quotes by Henri Barbusse

In life's tragedy, separation is the only thing one sees.

The Inferno (1917)

Two armies at death-grips — that is one great army committing suicide.

Under Fire (1916)

Let everything be remade on simple lines. There is only one people, there is only one people!

Light (1919)

The so-called inseparable cohesions of national interests vanish away as soon as you draw near to examine them. There are individual interests and a general interest, those two only.

Light (1919)

Yes, there is a Divinity, one from which we must never turn aside for the guidance of our huge inward life and of the share we have as well in the life of all men. It is called the truth.

Light (1919)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Henri Barbusse (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.